The National Association of Waste Disposal Officers – NAWDO – will be celebrating its 25th anniversary tomorrow, 7 September.
The NAWDO celebratory cake
Over the last 25 years, NAWDO says that hundreds of its officers have worked with central government, trade associations, the waste management industry, the community sector, as well as other groups to help shape and influence the waste and recycling sector.
The organisation says the sector in 2017 is ‘completely unrecognisable’ compared to where it was in 1992 when NAWDO was founded. Its first conference was held in 2001 (see letsrecycle.com story).
NAWDO has been supported by 14 chairs, 17 vice chairs, 11 secretaries and over 70 Policy and Advisory Committee members over the years.
And, the organisation claims to have worked ‘tirelessly’ to try and engage, harness and guide the waste industry whilst looking after its members best interests.
Markets
According to NAWDO, the next 25 years will be influenced by raw and secondary materials markets as waste truly becomes a resource.
The organisation said: “Technological advances are altering the way society consumes and disposes of items, the nature and funding of local government requiring innovative solutions an co-ordinated action between all sectors.”
Legislation is needed as an ‘enabler of change’ as well as a control to ensure the value of waste materials is understood and protected, NAWDO believes.
And, the organisation said producer responsibility and the circular economy will have much more focus and higher priority in the years to come.
Perennial problems
Claire Brailsford, current chair of NAWDO, said: “We are still facing some of the same perennial problems such as waste crime, challenger of two tier working; what to do with certain types of recovered waste materials and budgetary pressures whilst working within a sector governed by unpredictable and sometimes very rapidly shifting legislative change.”
“The challenge of constantly balancing local needs with national policy aims whilst trying to deliver the best possible services for our communities within our budget constraints is one of a kind.
“Landfill tax steadily increased from £7 per tonne when it was introduced in 1996 to £86.40 per tonne today. The change in the waste industry which was brought on by this tax has been spectacular.”
Ms Brailsford added: “We look forward to working with the whole of the waste sector in years to come ensuring that high quality value for money waste and recycling services are provided to residents and businesses in the communities which NAWDO represents.”
NAWDO is the primary network for senior waste managers at local authorities with statutory responsibility for waste disposal. In 2015, the organisation voted to change its constitution to allow local government waste partnerships to join its membership. (see letsrecycle.com story)
Related links:
NAWDO contact details
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
